You are ready to move to Canada, but the problem is how to find affordable housing in Canada as a new immigrant. You have already secured your study or work visa or a permanent residency card, congratulations!
Two factors will determine the kind of house you will get, depending on whether you are single, married, or have a family with children.
Below is a step-by-step Canada housing guide that can help you find affordable housing in Canada as a new immigrant.
1. Get a temporary place
Although there are ways to secure affordable housing in Canada from your home country, it is advisable to be in Canada and inspect the property, before paying because most time what you see in pictures might be different from what you get in real life.
If you are single, getting to Canada first would be easier, but if you are a family with children, I would suggest a family member first arrives in Canada 1 – 2 weeks before the rest of your family, to help with the house hunting.
Below are possible options for where to live temporarily before searching for a permanent place:
- Someone could host you: If you have a friend or a relative who is already living in Canada, and ready to host you for a couple of weeks before you get a permanent place, that would be awesome.
- Airbnb: If you don’t have anyone to host you, the next option is to look for a paid host through Airbnb. The good thing about hosting through Airbnb is that if you stay longer like two to three, weeks you get higher discounts. So you won’t be spending a lot per night.
- Hotel: Another option is to stay in a hotel. There are hotels for every budget, you can even choose to live in a motel for the couple of weeks you are searching for a permanent affordable housing in Canada .
2. Understand the Rental Market
Before you start hunting for a house, you need to understand the rental market. This will help you understand the kind of rental properties you want depending on your needs and budget.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages based on the cost, space, and amenities. Below are some key points to consider:
- Single room: This is a single room space where you will have to share amenities such as a toilet, kitchen, sitting room, and laundry with someone else. It is the most affordable housing in Canada when it come to cost and it’s a good option for students and single adults.
- Apartment: This is a single house that has different units in it. Depending on the unit you are renting, the toilet, kitchen, sitting room, and sometimes the laundry are not shared. This is usually the most affordable housing in Canada for a family with children.
- Condo: This is are similar to apartments but the only difference is that they are found in tall buildings with 10 or more storeys. They are usually more expensive than apartments because they are mostly seen in downtown areas of a city.
- House: This is a space where you don’t share any unit with anybody. The whole building and the compound belong to you and you alone. Most houses are not rented rather they’re leased and this is usually more expensive.
3. Start searching for a house
Now you have decided on the type of housing you need based on your budget and the size of your family, it is time to start searching for the most affordable housing in Canada for your needs.
There are different ways to search for affordable housing in Canada, but below are the most popular ones:
- Check on housing websites like Realtor.ca, Kijiji, and Craigslist. You can filter your search to match the kind of housing you want and your budget.
- Hire a rental agency to help you search for an affordable home. Tell them your budget and the kind of housing you need.
- Visit neighborhoods yourself and search for “For Rent” signs on rental properties.
4. Utilize Settlement Services
To help new immigrants like you properly adjust to a new country, Canada provides different types of settlement programs and new immigrant housing for newcomers.
Organizations like the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), YMCA, and local settlement agencies are responsible for offering housing assistance, including finding affordable rentals for new immigrants.
5. Government Housing Programs
Aside from settlement programs, Canada also offers various housing programs aimed at helping low-income families and individuals, including newcomers.
If you are a newcomer looking for affordable housing in Canada, programs such as Ontario’s Housing Benefit, BC Housing, and Manitoba Housing provide subsidized housing options. However, you must first confirm with the local housing authorities or settlement agencies to know if you are eligible for any assistance programs.
6. Prepare your paperwork
Once you have finally gotten the most affordable housing in Canada for you needs, the next step is to prepare for application processes and paperwork.
Landlords and property managers usually require documentation from tenants to approve their rental applications. Most time, this paperwork can be frustrating to get, especially for new immigrants like you.
Be prepared to provide:
- Proof of Income: You will prove to the landlord that you can be able to pay your rent at each month’s end. This proves this, you can either provide your Pay stubs, employment letters, or bank statements.
- Credit Report: Some landlords may ask for your credit report especially if you are renting a house, condo, or apartment. Since you are new to Canadian credit history and do not have a credit report, be prepared to explain your situation in a convincing way to your landlord.
7. Inspect the home
Finally, before signing any tenant agreement, it is advisable to inspect the property once again and this time, do it thoroughly.
Check for any signs of damage to the building and the amenities you would be entitled to when you move.
Remember to ask questions if you need any clarification to understand why some things are the way they are.
Conclusion
The above article is a Canada housing guide for newcomers and we hope it helps you find affordable housing in Canada as a new immigrant
If at any point you are struggling to get a house on your own, bear in mind that new immigrant housing programs that Canada offers to newcomers are also good options to run to.
FAQ
How do immigrants find housing in Canada?
There are different ways Immigrants search for affordable housing in Canada, but below are the most popular ones:
- Through websites like Realtor.ca, Kijiji, and Craigslist.
- Through a hired rental agency
- By visiting neighborhoods and searching for “For Rent” signs.
What credit score do you need to rent an apartment in Canada?
There is no specific minimum credit score for renting an apartment across Canada. However, a good credit score of at least 660 is enough but a lower score won’t automatically disqualify you.
How much is the cheapest rent in Canada?
The cheapest rent depends on the city you intend to live in, the kind of house, the number of rooms, and the amenities the building has. So there is no specific amount for the cheapest rent.
How are refugees housed in Canada?
The Refugee Housing program is done by matching a host with a spare bedroom and a refugee renter for a mutually beneficial living arrangement.
Who pays rent for refugees in Canada?
Government-sponsored refugees get a full year of financial support from the Canadian government which helps them to pay for rent while they find employment.
